Apparatus for the deposit of radioactive contaminated substances



June 14, 1966 w. SKLORZ 3,255,896

APPARATUS FOR THE DEPOSIT OF RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATED SUBSTANCES FiledMarch 22, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 WWW June 14, 1966 w. SKLORZ 3,255,896

APPARATUS FOR THE DEPOSIT OF RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATED SUBSTANCES FiledMarch 22, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 14, 1966 w. SKLORZ 3,255,896

APPARATUS FOR THE DEPOSIT OF RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATED SUBSTANCES FiledMarch 22, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 14, 1966 w, sKLo z 3,255,896

APPARATUS FOR THE DEPOSIT 0F RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATED SUBSTANCES 4Sheets-Sheet 4.

Filed March 22, 1963 United States Patent 3,255,896 APPARATUS FOR THEDEPOSIT OF RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATED SUBSTANCES Wilhelm Sklorz, Langen,Hessen, Germany, assignor to Firma Franz-Josef Gattys, Frankfurt amMain, Germany, a corporation of Germany Filed Mar. 22, 1963, Ser. No.267,399 Claims priority, applicatign Germany, Mar. 24, 1962,

7 Claims. (Cl. 214-16) The present invention relates to a deposit ofradioactive contaminated substances, in general, and to a unit for thetemporary storing of containers containing radioactive contaminatedsubstances, in particular.

Such units serve the purpose to receive radioactive contaminatedsubstances of any type safe against health physics, until theradioactivity of the substances has been reduced to a non-dangerousstate. Then the substances are removed again from the storage unit andsubjected to further treatment in any manner, or, in case they arenonuseable, are treated as radioactive waste. It is necessary for thispurpose to control or check the substances from time to time as to theirradioactivity.

In the known storages the containers are disposed on top of each otherin chambers, for instance, halls, which are above ground. In mostinstances three containers are disposed on top of each other. For thepurpose of health physics, a soil-mount is formed, which is piled upabout the building. In such arrangement, the continuously requiredtesting of the radioactivity in the individual containers is verycumbersome and is, therefore, connected with high labor costs. In orderto reach the stored lower containers, it is required to remove at firstthe containers disposed on top thereof and to remove the same. After thecontrol or checking, the containers must be returned to their originalplaces. Also, in order to provide the necessary access, comparativelylarge spaces are required.

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide adeposit of radioactive contaminated substances received in containerswhich are capable of rolling, and which are stored in a waterandair-tight channel structure which is safe against radiation, the innerwidth of the channel corresponding with the cross-section of thecontainer taken crosswise to the direction of rolling of the latter andwhich is equipped with means for the movement of the containers in thechannel structure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a deposit ofradioactive contaminated substances, which are received in containers,wherein the containers are rolled into a channel structure close to eachother, so that the entire channel structure can be filled withcontainers without requiring any space for access within the channelstructure. The latter can be either totally worked into ground, or itcan obtain, for instance, the required safety against radiation by meansof a soil-mount piled up thereon. In order to provide the necessary testor control, the containers are removed one for one at one end of thechannel structure, examined and then inserted again at the other end ofthe channel structure. The process can be designed simply in case of theprovision of a plurality of such channels, since the containers removedfrom one channel structure can be refed again immediately into theadjacent channel, so that the transport paths outside of thechannelstructure can be reduced to a minimum.

The unit designed in accordance with the present invention has thefollowing particular advantages:

It requires the smallest possible space. structures can be arrangedclosely adjacent each other, or be arranged also in superposed position.They can be arranged below parking lots or below buildings.

The channel 3,255,896 Patented June 14, 1966 ICC It is still anotherobject of the present invention to provide a deposit of radioactivecontaminated substances received in containers, whereby different meansare provided for the transportation of the containers within the channelstructure. In accordance with the present invention, the channelstructure is inclined relative to an imaginary horizontal plane and hasat each end a tightly closeable access opening. The containers, movedinto the access opening disposed at the higher level, roll then bygravity within the channel structure downwardly. At the access openingof the channel structure, disposed at the lower level, the containerscan then be removed one by one.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide adeposit of radioactive contaminated substances received in containersstored in a channel structure underground, wherein the channel structureis substantially horizontally disposed, while driving means operatingthe movement of the containers are provided for the transportation ofthe containers. By such driving means, the containers, capable ofrolling, are forcibly rolled in the channel structure.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a depositof radioactive contaminated substances received in containers rollablein a channel structure, wherein the channel structure is of annularshape and wherein the access opening or openings are disposed in itswalls. In case an annular channel is provided, principally only oneaccess opening is required. In order to control or inspect thesubstances stored in a particular container, it is merely required toadvance always one container by means of the drive means behind theaccess opening, so that the container can be removed, tested andreinserted again. While the drive means move then the next containertowards the access opening, it advances all con-tainers in the annularchannel structure.

It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide adeposit of radioactive contaminated substances received in containersrollable in a channel structure, wherein the containers are moved inlying or in upright position in the channel structure. The containersare equipped for this purpose either at their cylindrical wall withroller ribs, roller edges or ring flanges having at least three rollers,or a supporting set having at least three rollers. In view of thegreater simplicity and the greater safety against cornering, the lyingarrangement is preferred.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent in thefollowing detailed description, the present invention will be clearlyunderstood in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical section of a unit with inclined channelstructures, in which the containers are disposed in lying position andare rollable crosswise to their longitudinal axes;

FIG. 2 is a section along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section through one of the channel structures;

FIG. 4 is an elevation of a closing door at the front end of one channelstructure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of portions of pipe stones of which thechannel structures are composed;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section of a unit equipped with inclined channelstructures, in which the containers roll in the direction of theirlongitudinal axis and showing the feeding and the removal, respectively,of the containers;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the unit shown in FIG. 6 indicating theaccess openings in closed position;

FIG. 8 is an end view of a container used in the units shown in FIGS. 6,7, 9 and FIG. 9 is a vertical section of a unit having an annularchannel structure, in which the containers roll in the direction of thelongitudinal axis; and

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the unit shown in FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 5, theunit comprises a plurality of channel structures 1 disposed in inclinedarrangement in the ground. The channel structures 1 comprise pipe stones2, which are particularly shown in FIG. 5. Rails 3 are provided at theinner bottom face of the pipe stones 2, which rails 3 serve the purposeto guide the roller ribs or roller edges 5 (FIG. 3) of containers 4stored in the channel structures 1. The rails 3 prevent an abutment ofthe end faces of the containers 4 on the walls of the channelstructures 1. Both ends of each channel structure 1 are closed up by awaterand air-tight door 6 (FIG. 4). The door 6 can be made, forinstance, of cast steel. It provides a protection against radiation andheat insulation, so that the channel structures are also protectedagainst freezing.

The pipe stones 2 can be formed as prefabricated concrete elements. Uponassembly of the pipe stones 2, their butt joints are sealed againstwater and against gases.

The channel structures 1 are arranged between substantially verticalshafts 7 and 8. At least the shaft 8 is of such a width that vehiclescan be moved in. FIG. 2 discloses a lifting vehicle 9 used for beckingthe containers 4. The shaft 8 has in addition a feeding ramp. The outershafts 7 serve the purpose to feed the containers 4 into the channelstructures 1. It is, therefore, an es sential requirement that they areequipped for such feeding. It sufiices, for instance, to lower fromabove a container 4 into the shaft 7 by means of a lifting vehicle,until the container 4 reaches a platform 10. While the door 6 is open,the containers 4 can then be rolled into the channel structures 1without any difficulty.

Referring now to the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 6 and 7, inclinedchannel structures 11 are provided which have, however, a circularcross-section. The pipes are formed of metal, concrete or artificialmaterial. Each container 4 carries two rings 12, each of which isequipped with three rollers 13 (FIG. 8). The rollers 13 are freelyrotatable about axes 14 disposed tangentially to the ring 12. The lattercan be rigidly secured to the containers 4. This embodiment ispreferred, if the containers 4 are to be used again frequently. If,however, the containers are used once only and are then discarded, it isadvisable to provide loose rings 12 on the containers 4, which rings 12are mounted on the containers 4 prior to their insertion into thechannel structures 1 and the rings 12 engage the outer surface of thecontainers 4 by friction. Upon removal of the containers 4, the rings 12are separated again and used for other containers.

The channel structures 11 have access openings at their outer ends inthe end portions of the pipes, which access openings are incommunication with the space above ground by vertical shafts 15. Thelatter can be closed up by doors 6 of the same type, as described inconnection with the first embodiment. In order to insert and to removethe containers 4, a pulley block 16 is provided, which is suspended froma rail 18 disposed above head height and moves by means of a guidetrolley 17. Instead of the trolley 17, it is also possible to provide alifting vehicle 9 for lowering and lifting the containers 4.

In order to make possible the handling of a single container 4 always atthe end of the channel structure 11 without disturbance by the othercontainers, rolling down in the channel structures 11, an arrestingdevice is provided, which has two vertically displaceable rods or plates.19 and 20. If the container 4a, still in the channel struc- .container4a can roll freely towards the left.

ture 11, is to be moved towards the left, as shown in FIG. 6 of thedrawings, upon removal of the container 4 suspended from the liftingvehicle 9, at first the arresting rod 20 is lowered down to anengagement with the outer faces of the container 4a. Then the rod 19 islifted, so that the The rod 20 retains, thereby, the container 4b byengaging the left ring 12 of the container 4b. Then the rod 19 islowered again and the rod 20 is lifted, so that all containers in thechannel structure 11 can roll towards the left, until the container 4babuts the arresting rod 19. A control box 21 is provided for anautomatic operation of this lifting and lowering movement of thearresting rods 19 and 20.

Roofs 22 are provided for the protection of the access shafts 15 againstprecipitation, which roofs 22 are indicated by point-dotted lines inFIG. 6.

Referring now to the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 9 and 10, the channelstructure 23 is formed as a closed ring extending over 360. It is formedagain of pipes of circular cross-section. The containers 4 are equipped,in the same manner as disclosed in connection with the embodiment ofFIGS. 6-8, with rings 12, which are equipped with rollers 13.

A driving device 24 is arranged for the advancement of all containersdisposed in the annular channel structure 23. The driving device 24 hasa continuous chain 25 from which a longitudinal runner runs in a recessof a wall of the annular channel structure 23. Conveyor claws 26 aresecured to the chain 25, which conveyor claws 26 extend into the path ofthe containers 4 and which serve the purpose of advancing the containers4. The chain 25 is driven by a motor 27, with an intermediate couplingand a gear transmission (not shown).

Since the chain 25 of the driving device 24 projects into a recess ofthe wall of the channel structure 23, yet the latter requires a totalsealing, the entire driving device 24 is disposed in a sealed housing29, which is accessible from the outside by means of a sealingly closingcover 30.

A rope or cable winch 28 serves the purpose of loading and unloading,respectively, which rope or cable winch 28 is suspended from a rail 18above head height by means of a trolley. The access shaft 15 is closedagain by a cover 6 of the previously disclosed type. The driving device24 causes a movement of the containers 5 by means of its conveyor claws26 such, that the containers are moved in the direction of the arrowshown in FIG. 10. As many containers 4 are inserted into the annularchannel structure 23 until the channel structure 23 is completely filledup. If then one container 4 is moved in the direction of the arrow intothe annular channel structure 23 by means of the driving device 24, allcontainers 4 are advanced Within the channel structure 23 and until thefirst inserted container appears again in the access opening. It is,thus, possible to provide a continuous control or checking in thesimplest manner, since the steps for the insertion of a container to bestored and the re moval of another container coincide with each other.If, as an exception, at first insufficient quantities of radioactivecontaminated substances are available for filling of the entire annularchannel structure 23, the remaining portion of the channel structure 23is filled with empty containers 4. These can be particularly marked, sothat they can run through during a checking procedure, until the firstfilled container appears again.

In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the containers are ofcylindrical configuration and are advanced in lying position eithercrosswise to the longitudinal axis or in the direction of thelongitudinal axis. The containers can be moved, however, also in anupright position. This kind of conveying is of advantage, particularlyfor rectangular containers having a rectangular or square horizontalcross-section. In this case the channel structure has a rectangular opencross-section, which corresponds with the vertical cross-section of thecontainers.

For the conveyance, the containers are then equipped with a supportingset, which carries at least three rollers. If an annular channelstructure of particularly small radius is used, it can be of advantageto equip the supporting set with swingable rollers or with ballsfunctioning as rollers. The supporting set can be secured to thecontainers again either rigidly or removably.

In the case of an inclined arrangement of the channel structures, inaccordance with FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, it can be of advantage, in order toavoid long conveyance paths, to incline adjacent channels in oppositedirections. During the control or checking it is then possible that onecontainer, which is removed at the lower end of one channel structure,can be reinserted at the upper end of the adjacent channel structure.

If the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 is equipped with accessopenings provided at the ends thereof, it is possible to use a devicerollable, for instance, on rails, to the access openings and crosswiseto the longitudinal direction of the channel structures 1 for insertionand removal of the container 4. Such units can also be equipped withmeans providing protection against radiation.

While I have disclosed several embodiments of the present invention, itis to be understood that these embodiments are given by example only andnot in a limiting sense, the scope of the present invention beingdetermined by the objects and the claims.

I claim:

1. A unit for the temporary storing of containers containing radioactivecontaminated substances comprising a waterand air-tight channelstructure safe against radiation,

a plurality of rollable containers received in said channel structure,

said container being adapted to receive radioactive substances,

said channel structure having an inner width complementary to thecross-section of said containers across to the direction of rolling ofsaid containers,

,means for moving said containers in said channel structure,

said containers being of cylindrical configuration and having at leasttwo rings spaced apart from each other and surrounding the cylindricalouter surface of said containers,

at least three rollers angula'rly spaced apart from each other androtatably mounted about axes disposed tangentially to said rings,

in order to permit rolling of said containers in lying position in thedirection of the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical containers, and

said channel structure being buried in ground, in order to provideprotection against radioactive radiation.

2. The unit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said channel structure isinclined relative to an imaginary horizontal plane and has said accessopening at each of the ends thereof, and

means for sealingly closing said access openings.

3. The unit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said channel structure isinclined relative to an imaginary horizontal plane, and which includesarresting means for all of said containers except the last of saidcontainers in said channel structure to be removed, and

said arresting means are disposed at the lower end of and adjacent saidaccess opening of said channel structure.

4. The unit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rings are removablysecured to said containers.

5. The unit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said channel structureincludes walls and is of annular shape and has an access opening throughsaid walls.

6. The unit, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said channel structure isdisposed substantially horizontally, and

said means for moving said containers comprises a driving means causingthe movement of said containers in said channel structure.

7. The unit, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said driving meanscomprises a continuous pulling member including two runs havingconveyor-claws gripping said containers during the movement of saidpulling member,

said channel structure has walls,

one of said walls has a recess extending in longitudinal direction ofsaid channel structure, and

one of said runs of said pulling member operating in said recess.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 682,408 9/1901Forslund 243-33 1,195,147 8/ 1916 Mitchell. 2,726,753 12/ 1955 Bee.2,755,950 7/1956 Forshey 21416.4 X 2,900,146 8/1959 Hafner et a1. 243--1X 2,970,413 2/ 1961 Miklosek.

FOREIGN PATENTS 726,154 5/1932 France.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Examiner.

R. B. JOHNSON, Assistant Examiner.

1. A UNIT FOR THE TEMPORARY STORING OF CONTAINERS CONTAINING RADIOACTIVECONTAMINATED SUBSTANCES COMPRISING A WATER- AND AIR-TIGHT CHANNELSTRUCTURE SAFE AGAINST RADIATION, A PLURALITY OF ROLLABLE CONTAINERSRECEIVED IN SAID CHANNEL STRUCTURE, SAID CONTAINER BEING ADAPTED TORECEIVE RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES, SAID CHANNEL STRUCTURE HAVING AN INNERWIDTH COMPLEMENTARY TO THE CROSS-SECTION OF SAID CONTAINERS ACROSS TOTHE DIRECTION OF ROLLING OF SAID CONTAINERS, MEANS FOR MOVING SAIDCONTAINERS IN SAID CHANNEL STRUCTURE, SAID CONTAINERS BEING OFCYLINDRICAL CONFIGURATION AND HAVING AT LEAST TWO RINGS SPACED APARTFROM EACH OTHER AND SURROUNDING THE CYLINDRICAL OUTER SURFACE OF SAIDCONTAINERS, AT LEAST THREE ROLLERS ANGULARLY SPACED APART FROM ECH OTHERAND ROTATABLY MOUNTED ABOUT AXES DISPOSED TANGENTIALLY TO SAID RINGS, INORDER TO PERMIT ROLLING OF SAID CONTAINERS IN LYING POSITION IN THEDIRECTION OF THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS, ANDSAID CHANNEL STRUCTURE BEING BURIED IN GROUND, IN ORDER TO PROVIDEPROTECTION AGAINST RADIOACTIVE RADIATION.